the eastern provinces of the empire.

The scene of contest in the wars between Rome and Persia had been
usually either Mesopotamia or Armenia. On rare occasions only had the
traditional policy been departed from, and attempts made to penetrate
into the richer parts of the Roman East, and to inflict serious injury
on the empire by carrying fire and sword into peaceful and settled
provinces. Kobad, however, had in his later years ventured to introduce
a new system, and had sent troops across the Euphrates into Syria in
the hope of ravaging that fertile region and capturing its wealthy
metropolis, Antioch. This example Chosroes now determined to follow.
Crossing the great stream in the lower portion of its course, he led his
troops up its right bank, past Circesium, Zenobia, and Callinicus, to
Suron, a Roman town on the west side of the river. As this small place
ventured to resist him, Chosroes, bent upon terrifying the other towns
into submission, resolved to take a signal revenge. Though the garrison,
after losing their commandant, made overtures for a surrender, he
insisted on entering forcibly at one of the gates, and then, upon the
strength of this violent entrance, proceeded to treat the city as one
taken by storm, pillaged the houses, massacred a large portion of the
inhabitants, enslaved the others, and in conclusion set the place on
fire and burned it to the ground. It was perhaps in a fit of remorse,
though possibly only under the influence of greed, that shortly
afterwards he allowed the neighboring bishop of Sergiopolis to ransom
these unfortunate captives, twelve thousand, in number, for the modest
sum of two hundred pounds of gold.

From Suron the invading army advanced to Hierapolis, without
encountering the enemy, who did not dare to make any resistance in the
open field, but sought the protection of walls and strongholds. The
defences of Hierapolis were in tolerable order; its garrison was fairly
strong; and the Great King therefore prudently resolved to allow the
citizens to ransom themselves and their city at a moderate price. Two
thousand pounds of silver was the amount fixed upon; and this sum was
paid without any complaint by the Hierapolites. Plunder, not conquest,
was already distinctly set before the invader's mind as his aim; and
it is said that he even offered at this period to evacuate the Roman
territory altogether upon receiving a thousand pounds of gold. But
the Romans were not yet brought